Cosatu going ahead with labour broker strike

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Johannesburg - Cosatu will go ahead with a planned national strike on March 7 against labour brokers after attempts to broker a deal at Nedlac failed, the union federation said on Wednesday.

Congress of SA Trade Union's spokesperson Patrick Craven said the protected strike was necessary for the "effective resolution of this matter".

"The National Economic Development and Labour Council's section 77 standing committee has now confirmed that there is a deadlock between the social partners at Nedlac on the question of labour," said Craven .

"Cosatu is therefore calling on all workers to support the socio-economic protest action by engaging in various forms of protest."

This involves work stoppages, rallies, marches and lunchtime pickets from as early as February 29.

The federation has for some time been calling for the complete banning of labour brokers, likening it to modern day slavery.

"They are nothing more than human traffickers, making huge profits by hiring out workers to their client companies as if we are no more than commodities like office furniture or stationery."

It was also concerned at the low wages workers were subjected to, the lack of benefits and that workers could be fired at anytime.

Cosatu called for people to boycott businesses that used labour brokers. It also wants the withdrawal of provident funds invested in businesses that use labour brokers.

Craven said the federation would assess the programme of action and decide on the way forward after the strike, but that if necessary the duration of the strike could be extended.

President Jacob Zuma took a safer route on the question of labour brokers during his State of the Nation address, by calling for a middle ground to be found.

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